Barrel construction



Oct. 17, 1933. s. A. BENNETT BARREL CONSTRUCTION I Filed March 5, 1929 Patented Oct. 17, 1933 PATENT {OFFICE BARREL CONSTRUCTION I Stevens A. Bennett, Chicago, 111., assignor to Wilson & Bennett Manufacturing Company,

Chicago, Ill.

Application March 5, 1929. Serial No. 344,476 Claims. (01. 220-595 This application is a continuation in part of my former applications for Barrels or drums Serial No. 118,430 and Barrels Serial No. 187,864, insofar as common subject matter or invention is 5 involved.

This invention relates to relatively large-sized containers such as are ordinarily known as barrels or drums as distinguished from smaller sized containers known as cans or pails. Steel barrels of this character are usually made of relatively heavy sheet steel withthe heads double seamed or otherwise securely fastened to the bodies. The desirability of having such heads provided with relatively large openings haslong been recognized, but no satisfactory closures have been provided for such openings. While an or dinary bung is satisfactory for shipping various liquids no satisfactory means has heretofore been provided for fastening covers to barrel heads for closing large openings. When nuts or bolts are used, for this purpose, it has been found diflicult to properly fasten the cover, and the nuts or bolts are apt to become lost or injured so that the cover cannot be readily replaced. The forming of the heads of such barrels of heavy sheet metal has undoubtedly prevented attempts to fashion the same for otherwise securing covers thereto. I

In accordance with the present invention, I provide a barrel or drum which may be made of relatively heavy sheet steel, say of approximately eighteengauge for the larger sizes and twentytwo gauge for the smaller sizes, with a large opening in the head and a-cover for such opening which may be applied by means of a cover closing or crimping machine such barrels being adapted for holding and shipping heavy materials such as paints, oils, greases, red lead and the like, weighing up to twelve hundred pounds for a sixty-five gallon barreL,

The objects of this invention are to provide .a barrel or drum with a. head having a large opening therein and a novel cover which is adapted to be secured directly to the head without other fastening devices; to provide a barrel having a head with a neck formed therein for receiving a cover, said neck projecting outwardly a suillcient distance to permit the application of a cover closing machine for fastening a cover in position; to provide a barrel having a head which is depressed or set in and having a neck outlining a relatively large opening, say of eleven or twelve inches, said neck having an outwardly projecting flange, and a cover which is adapted to engage with the neck and to be securely fastenedin position by a suitable closing machine, and such other objects and advantages as will be described hereinafter.

In the accompanying drawing illustrating this invention,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the upper portion of a barrel with parts broken away or shown in section and a portion of a cover closing machine shown in position for the closing operation;

Figure 2 is an enlarged detail sectional view of a portion of the neck and cover before the closing is eilected; and

Figure 3 is a similar view showing the cover in closed or crimped position.

As shown in the drawing, the barrel or body 4 has a head5 which is secured thereto in any suitable manner as by means of the double seam 6. The head is preferably provided with a flange '7 whereby the main portion is oilset depressed or let in in the usual manner. A part of the head, as indicated at 8, is further ofiset depressed or let in to provide space between the same and the end of the barrel. A neck or cylindrical projection 9 extends upwardly from the depressed portion 8 and has a relatively large opening therein. The outer portion of the neck has a flange 10 which may be or any desired form but which is preferably curved or curled and which extends outwardly a sufliclent distance to receive the cover closing means. When the metal is too heavy for it to be practicable to form a head for receiving the cover, such flange has been found sufliciently still and rigid to properly hold the cover in position. Such curved flange makes a desirable periphery for the opening as 'a man may reach his arm in without danger of injury from sharp edges.

The cover 11 has a central or main portion 12 with an annular flange or cylindrical portion 13 which fits within the neck 9. Exchange 13 has an outwardly projecting curved rlm' 14 which conforms in general to the flange 10 and is adapted to fit closely thereover. The cover is provided with a plurality'ot closing tabs or lugs 15 which are adapted to be bent or crimped inwardly up in under the flange 10 for holding the cover in position. These lugs are bent outwardly to provide projections 16 at their lower ends and are preferably provided with slots 1'! which are adapted to be engaged by a suitable tool for removing the cover.

When the cover is to be applied, it is placed in position, as shown in Figure 1, preferably with a gasket 18 interposed between the flange 10 and coasting flange or rim 14. A can closing ma;

chine such as indicated 8171915 then applied to the cover with its closing jaws 20 positioned to engage the lugs or tabs 15, as shown in Figure 1 The neck 9 extends outwardly from the cover far enough and is spaced from the rim or edge of the barrel a sufiicient distance to permitthe proper manipulation of the closing jaws or levers 20 .in order to perform the closing movement.

When the cover is closed, the gasket 18 is compressed and the lugs or tabs 15 are bent inwardly under the flange 10 with portions thereof pressed against the sides of the neck, as shown in Figure 3 and with the lower ends 16 bent outwardly at.

against the neck. Any suitable number of these lugs or projections may be provided, butI have found that sixteen is sufficient for most purposes, and when these lugs are bent under the stiff flange 10 with the parts'thereof braced against the sides of the neck 9, the holding portions of the cover are stiffened and the cover will be held securely in position for all the usual commercial purposes. It will also be noted that the head is offset or let'in sufficiently so that the cover does not project beyond the rim or end of the barrel. The convenience and speed with which the clo sures may be made are advantages of utmost importance.

It will be noted that the ends 16 of the lugs used again or may be merely pushed into position for ordinary closing purposes.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A sheet steel barrel construction, for barrels formed of heavy gauge sheet steel and adapted for shipment of heavy contents weighing in the hundreds of pounds, comprising a body having a head set in from the end thereof, said head having an outwardly projecting integrally formed neck of large diameter which terminates below the end of the barrel and having an annular flange around the end thereof, a cover coacting with the neck to close the opening therethrough, and means associated with the cover and adapted to be acted upon by a closing machine for securing the cover to the neck.

2. A container of the character set forth formed of heavy gauge sheet steel and adapted for shipping heavy materials weighing in the hundreds of pounds having a head with a neck projecting therefrom which terminates at approximately the top of the barrel. with an outwardly extending flange at the end thereof, a cover fitting over the flange and provided with fastening means normally out of fastening position when the cover is first applied but which are bent in toward the neck and under the flange to fasten the cover in closed position.

3. A new article of manufacture comprising a heavy gauge steel barrel adapted for shipping contents weighing in the hundreds of pounds and having a head rigidly secured thereto, said head being provided with an integrally formed outwardly projecting neck having a flange at the outer end thereof, a closure'for said neck having portions adapted to be bent under said flange to fasten the closure in position, the head and neck being sufliciently strong and suitably formed so that the closure may be applied and fastened by means of a cover closing machine having jaws for bending the portions of the closure under the flange said head being set in around the neck a sufiicient distance so that the neck with the closure thereon will not project beyond the end of the barrel.

4. A sheet metal barrel comprising a body with a head secured thereto, said head having a projecting neck of relatively large diameter with a projection around the outer'end thereof; a cover adapted to engage with the neck and means for securing the same to the projection on the neck, said neck being of suflicient length and positioned to permit the application of a closing machine to the cover to fasten the same to the neck.

STEVENS A. BENNETT. 

